Evidence-Based Faith: Ready to Give an Answer

Introduction:
(1 Peter 3:15) God commands believers to set Christ apart in the heart and be ready to give a reasoned defense of our hope with meekness and reverence.

 

Why Some Christians Hesitate About Evidences
Some believers fear that learning evidences weakens faith. Passages like John 20:29 and 2 Corinthians 5:7 are sometimes read as if faith excludes reasons. Yet Scripture never defines faith as a leap into darkness. The dictionary describes faith as assent based on reliable testimony. Hebrews 11:1 says faith is “substance” and “evidence,” rooting trust in what is true and dependable. In Scripture and in life, faith rests on a trustworthy witness, not on ignorance. The biblical languages reinforce this: Hebrew emunah/emet (firmness, truth) and Greek pistis (active trust). Faith is active trust in reliable truth, not credulity.

 

What Scripture Teaches About Evidence and Faith
The Bible commends a faith that looks at God’s works and God’s word. Creation itself supplies testimony about God’s power and deity (Romans 1:19–20). After the Red Sea deliverance, “Israel saw… so the people feared the Lord, and believed” (Exodus 14:31). The Bereans received the message with readiness and examined the Scriptures daily to verify it (Acts 17:11). We are told, “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Workers approved by God “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:14–15). Scripture calls us to bring every thought captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5), to contend earnestly for the faith (Jude 1:3), and, like Paul, to stand for the defense of the gospel (Philippians 1:15–17).

 

Examples of Evidences that Support the Bible and Christ
From Nature. The created order displays design, balance, and fitness for life (Romans 1:20). Simple illustrations help hearers consider cause and effect and the necessity of a sufficient first cause.

 

From History and Archaeology. Across centuries, discoveries have illuminated the world of Scripture and often corroborated its historical details. Scholars have noted how investigations have repeatedly confirmed names, places, and customs reported in the biblical record. The Bible spoke of the earth as a circle (Isaiah 40:22) and of the earth “hanging on nothing” (Job 26:7), and it describes the fixed ordinances of the heavens (Job 38:33)—language that reflects an ordered cosmos under God’s rule.

 

From Christ Himself. Jesus invited faith grounded in evidence: “Believe… or else believe because of the works themselves” (John 14:11). The Gospels present multiple eyewitness testimonies that converge on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The earliest Christians proclaimed what they had seen and heard, despite persecution, because they were convinced by compelling evidence.

 

Always Ready: Why Evidence Matters in Evangelism
Before opening the Scriptures with skeptics, we often must show that the Bible is a trustworthy witness. Evidence equips believers to answer honest questions, dismantle lofty opinions raised against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:5), and point people to the risen Christ with humility and courage (1 Peter 3:15; Jude 1:3; Philippians 1:17).

 

Conclusion
Faith that honors God is not blind; it is a reasoned, obedient trust in the God who speaks and acts. Build convictions on God’s works in creation, God’s words in Scripture, and Christ’s works in history. Then, with a sanctified heart, be ready to give an answer.

 

 

 

Evidence-Based Faith: Ready to Give an Answer Sermon Outline:

• Introduction (1 Peter 3:15)

  • Set apart Christ; be ready to give reasons with meekness and reverence.

   

• I. Why Some Christians Hesitate

  • Misread texts: John 20:29; 2 Corinthians 5:7.

  • Biblical definition of faith: Hebrews 11:1; firmness and active trust.

   

• II. Scripture’s Pattern: Faith Anchored in Evidence

  • Creation’s testimony: Romans 1:19–20.

  • Historical acts prompting belief: Exodus 14:31.

  • Examining Scripture carefully: Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21.

  • Formation of faith: Romans 10:17.

  • Handling truth rightly: 2 Timothy 2:14–15.

   

• III. Examples that Support the Bible and Christ

  • Nature and cause: Romans 1:20.

  • Orderly cosmos under God: Isaiah 40:22; Job 26:7; Job 38:33.

  • Christ’s works invite belief: John 14:11.

   

• IV. Always Ready to Defend

  • Taking thoughts captive: 2 Corinthians 10:5.

  • Contending earnestly: Jude 1:3.

  • Appointed for defense: Philippians 1:15–17.

   

• Conclusion

  • Embrace a reasoned, obedient trust; be ready to answer.

   

Call to Action:
Sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart today. Commit to pursue evidences in creation and Scripture. Resolve to speak with grace and clarity when asked for the reason for your hope. Begin this week by studying 1 Peter 3:15 and preparing your personal testimony anchored in Scripture.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Faith in Scripture is active trust grounded in truth (Hebrews 11:1).

• God calls believers to examine, test, and rightly handle His word (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Timothy 2:15).

• Creation and history point to God’s power and order (Romans 1:20; Job 38:33).

• Jesus invites belief on the basis of His works (John 14:11).

• Christians are commanded to defend the gospel with humility (1 Peter 3:15; Philippians 1:17).

 

Scripture Reference List:

• 1 Peter 3:15 – Be ready to give a defense with meekness and fear.

• John 20:29 – Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed.

• 2 Corinthians 5:7 – We walk by faith, not by sight.

• Hebrews 11:1 – Faith as substance and evidence.

• Romans 1:19–20 – God’s attributes seen in creation.

• Exodus 14:31 – Israel believed after seeing God’s mighty work.

• Acts 17:11 – Bereans examined the Scriptures daily.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:21 – Test all things; hold fast what is good.

• Romans 10:17 – Faith comes by hearing the word of God.

• 2 Timothy 2:14–15 – Rightly divide the word of truth.

• 2 Corinthians 10:5 – Bring every thought into obedience to Christ.

• Jude 1:3 – Contend earnestly for the faith.

• Philippians 1:15–17 – Appointed for the defense of the gospel.

• Isaiah 40:22 – The circle of the earth.

• Job 26:7 – The earth hangs on nothing.

• Job 38:33 – The ordinances of the heavens.

• John 14:11 – Believe on account of Christ’s works.

 

Prepared by Scott Perkins of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

 

Apologetics